🛁 How to Use Public Baths (찜질방) Like a Local
Visiting a 찜질방 (jjimjilbang) is one of the most relaxing and unique cultural experiences in Korea. These large public bathhouses often include hot tubs, saunas, nap areas, snack bars, and even movie rooms! But if it’s your first time, it can feel a bit intimidating. In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to enjoy a jjimjilbang like a local. 🧖♀️🧖♂️
🧾 Step-by-Step Guide
- Pay at the counter (~₩10,000–₩15,000) and receive a locker key and uniform.
- Remove your shoes and place them in the shoe locker.
- Change into your uniform in the gender-specific locker room.
- Before entering the sauna or public bath, shower thoroughly—this is a strict hygiene rule in Korea.
- Enjoy the facilities! Relax in hot tubs, try different saunas (salt, charcoal, ice), and lie down on warm floors.
- Try local snacks like sikhye (sweet rice drink), eggs roasted in the sauna, or instant ramen from vending machines.
🍳 What to Enjoy Inside a Jjimjilbang
Jjimjilbangs are more than just places to bathe—they're like mini resorts! Here are some fun things foreigners can try inside:
- 찜질방 영화관 (In-house movie rooms): Watch Korean dramas or movies while lying on a heated floor.
- 수면실 (Sleeping rooms): Take a nap or sleep overnight with a blanket and pillow.
- 안마의자 (Massage chairs): Enjoy a relaxing massage for ₩1,000–2,000 per 10 minutes.
- 만화방 (Comic book libraries): Read thousands of Korean webtoons and manhwa in a cozy corner.
🍽️ Must-Try Snacks in a Jjimjilbang
- 식혜 (Sikhye): A cold sweet rice drink that refreshes after a sauna. Try saying: “식혜 한 잔 주세요.” (One glass of sikhye, please.)
- 구운 계란 (Roasted eggs): Hard-boiled in the hot sauna oven. Say: “계란 두 개 주세요.” (Two eggs, please.)
- 라면 (Instant noodles): Available at snack bars or vending machines. Say: “라면 먹고 갈까요?” (Shall we have some ramen before we go?)
🔥 Korean Expressions Related to Sauna Culture
- 이열치열 (I-yeol-chi-yeol): “Fight heat with heat.” This means sweating in a hot sauna on a hot day can be refreshing!
- 땀을 빼다 (Ttam-eul ppae-da): "To sweat it out." Commonly said when people detox in the sauna.
- 몸이 개운하다 (Mom-i gae-un-ha-da): "My body feels refreshed." Say this after a nice soak or steam.
🏨 The Rise of Luxury Jjimjilbangs
Modern jjimjilbangs in Korea have evolved into upscale wellness centers. Some high-end spots feature rooftop hot spring baths, luxury sleeping capsules, skincare clinics, yoga rooms, and even coworking spaces! You can find stylish jjimjilbangs in Gangnam, Dongdaemun, and Busan that attract both locals and tourists looking for relaxation and comfort. It’s no longer just a bath—it’s a lifestyle. 💆♀️💼
Cimer : Luxury spa in paradise hotel
- No swimsuits allowed in the bath area — nudity is normal in gender-separated baths.
- Tie your hair or wear a towel on your head in the sauna zones.
- Speak quietly — jjimjilbangs are for relaxing.
- Sleeping overnight? Some jjimjilbangs allow 24-hour stays for a small fee.
💡 Did You Know?
The oldest recorded Korean public bathhouse dates back to the 15th century, during the Joseon Dynasty! Today, jjimjilbangs are not just for hygiene but for socializing, studying, and even dating. Some are open 24/7 and include libraries, PC rooms, and rooftop gardens!
💬 Practice with Me on italki!
Want to learn how to read signs and communicate naturally at a jjimjilbang?
Book a 1:1 lesson with me on italki. I’ll teach you the key vocabulary and expressions to feel confident using public baths like a local. 😊
